Jaya opposes entrance test for Dental course admission

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today strongly opposed introduction of a National Eligibility Entrance Test for admission to undergraduate and PG courses in dental colleges, saying such a move would hamper smooth implementation of reservation policy in these admissions.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, she said she came to know that the Dental Council of India has issued a gazette notification to this effect and recalled her government's objection to such entrance tests for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.

Jayalalithaa said entrance exam for professional courses has been abolished in the state since 2007 after an Expert Panel found such exams put students from rural and lower socio-economic backgrounds at a disadvantage due to lack of geographical and financial access to training centres.

Such entrance examinations result in the growth of expensive coaching centres, she said.

Noting that the state has been following 69 per cent reservation for Backward and Most Backward Communities and SCs and STs in professional courses, she said introduction of a National Eligibility Entrance Test would "create confusion and litigation in the smooth implementation of this reservation policy both in undergraduate and postgraduate admissions."

Strongly protesting the move by the DCI, Jayalalithaa urged that the state may be exempted from the test and allowed to continue with its existing system for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate dental seats.